Pair called up to New York

New York, December 26, 2006 -- New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Jed Ortmeyer and defenseman Bryce Lampman have been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL). Ortmeyer will remain a non-roster injured player pending medical examination for clearance to play. In addition, forward Brad Isbister was reassigned to Hartford (AHL).

Ortmeyer, 28, registered one goal and two assists, along with a plus-two rating in five games with Hartford (AHL) after being sent to the Wolf Pack on December 12 on a conditioning loan, allowed for players who have had long-term illnesses. The 6-0, 197-pound forward was cleared for contact in practice on November 24 after medical testing showed he was ready to take the next step in his recovery from a pulmonary embolism that was diagnosed on August 13, 2006. In 2005-06, Ortmeyer skated in 78 games with the Rangers, registering five goals and two assists, along with 38 penalty minutes. He ranked first among team forwards and seventh among all NHL forwards with 75 blocked shots.

Lampman, 24, has appeared in 28 games with Hartford this season, registering three goals and five assists for eight points, along with a plus-four rating and 36 penalty minutes. His plus-four rating currently ranks third on the team. In 2005-06, the 6-1, 205-pound defenseman suffered a dislocated left shoulder on November 20 against Portland and was forced to miss a majority of the season. Prior to the injury, he collected two goals and three assists in 11 games with the Wolf Pack.

Isbister, 29, registered one goal in two games with the Rangers after being recalled from Hartford on December 20. Prior to his recall, the 6-4, 231-pound forward appeared in 17 AHL games with the Hartford Wolf Pack and Albany River Rats, registering four goals and five assists, along with 56 penalty minutes. In eight games with Hartford, he collected one goal and two penalty minutes after being acquired by the Rangers from Carolina on November 21, in exchange for the rights to Jakub Petruzalek and a conditional fifth round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The NHL's New York Rangers hockey club, currently in its 81st year of operation, is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Madison Square Garden, L.P. is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.